Welcome! Here you will find articles of various topics. Many will be of pagan origin, but others will focus on a variety of subjects. This will be a sharing from Dale to the world. Please enjoy and freely comment!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Handfasting: The Pagan Marriage

What is Handfasting?

This is the first article in a series of Pagan Words and Phrases. Handfasting was at the top of the list in a poll I ran about which pagan words people would like to see defined.

A traditional European ceremony, hundreds of years old, handfasting can be permanent or temporary as betrothal or wedding. Normally the ceremony will involve the lightly tying of the right hands of the man and woman, or mate and mate using a ribbon or cord. Hence the name, handfasting. "Tying the knot" in the modern times comes from the word handfasting.

Handfasting is a traditional way of marriage among Pagans of various paths. It signifies the bond equal to marriage usually, between a bride and groom.

There are many variations of handfasting that are used today. The marriage vows may be for "a year and a day", for "a lifetime", as well as "for all eternity". Sometimes it will be "for as long as love shall last."

The ceremony can be legal or a private spiritual commitment depending on the choice of the couple. As for the legality, it would depend on the country or location where the handfasting takes place, and to the officiant being a legally recognized minister. Some couples will use the civil ceremonyto make it legal as well.

Some rituals are performed along very strict Traditional guidelines and other very loosely using the overall basic idea of handfasting and altering it to suit their own personal and spiritual needs, creating a new ceremony.

Some couples choose to conduct the ceremony privately between themselves and others will include a member of the clergy to do the actual ceremony for them.

Depending on the tradition or method, the ceremony may have the couple jumping over a broom at the end of the ceremony or jumping over a fire.

Like traditional marriages, many couples will exchange rings as well.

Dress is up to the couple. Many like the idea of dressing in Medieval costumesand others like to wear modern formal wear. Again, this all varies depending on the couple's choices.

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About Me

Dale is a noted pagan author who is also a Wiccan High Priest with a coven. He is the author of many pagan related articles as well as various other articles that span many topics. He never attempts to hide any knowledge he possesses from those who contact him. Dale is published on various websites and enjoys a large online following. Below is more about Dale:

Has studied many different spiritual paths over the years.

Was was raised “Christian” in a very loose sense…no church was mandated…but basic Christian beliefs were taught.

Currently he is on a path he refers to as Celtic Shamanic Wicca… a very eclectic mix for him, that works well with Celtic traditions, Native American Traditions, and of course Wicca. He does not see leaving this Path, as it has been his Path for many years now.

He reads the cards using a deck called The Well Worn Path…. a Wiccan Deck.